10105. And boil the flesh in a holy place. That this signifies the preparation of good for the uses of life through the truths of doctrine in enlightenment from the Lord, is evident from the signification of “boiling,” as being to prepare for the use of life by means of the truths of doctrine; from the signification of “flesh,” as being good (see n. 7850, 9127); and from the signification of “in a holy place,” as being from Divine enlightenment; for “a holy place” denotes where the Divine of the Lord is present, thus as applied to the truths of doctrine, where there is Divine enlightenment; because where the Divine of the Lord is present, there is enlightenment. That to “boil the flesh of the sacrifice” denotes to prepare good for the use of life by means of the truth of doctrine, is because flesh, by which is signified good, is thus prepared for the use of the body, consequently in the spiritual sense for the use of life. That the preparation is effected by means of the truths of doctrine, is plain, because these teach the use; and moreover by the “waters” in which the boiling is done, are signified truths (n. 2702, 3058, 3424, 5668, 8568, 9323).

[2] It is said by means of truths of doctrine in enlightenment from the Lord, because truths from the Word are to be fitted together into doctrine so as to serve for use, which is done by those who are in enlightenment from the Lord; and those are in enlightenment when they read the Word, who are in the affection of truth for the sake of truth, and for the sake of the good of life, and not those who seek it for the sake of self-glory, reputation, or profit, as ends. (That doctrine must be wholly from the Word, so that the Word may be understood, see n. 9025, 9409, 9410, 9424, 9430; and that those who collect doctrine from the Word must be in enlightenment from the Word, n. 9382, 9424.)

[3] That “to boil in water” denotes to reduce truths into doctrine, and thus prepare them for the use of life, appears at first sight strange and farfetched; but that such is nevertheless the signification can be seen from the passages in the Word where “boiling in water” is spoken of, and also where the “pot” is mentioned in which the boiling is done; as in the second book of Kings:

Elisha returned unto Gilgal, when there was a famine in the land, and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his boy, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets. And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds, and shred them into the pot of pottage. As they were eating of the pottage, they cried out, O man of God there is death in the pot! Wherefore he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot, and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And then there was no evil thing in the pot (2 Kings 4:38-42).

This miracle, like all others in the Word, involves holy things of the church, which are opened by means of the internal sense. From this it is known that Elisha represented the Lord as to the Word, in like manner as did Elijah; that the “sons of the prophets” denote those who teach truth from the Word; that the “pot” which was set on by order of Elisha, denotes the doctrine from it; and that a “wild vine” and the “gourds” from it denote falsities. From this it is plain what is meant by “death in the pot.” The “meal” which he cast into the pot denotes truth from good, and as the doctrine is amended by this truth, it came to pass that there was no evil thing in the pot. From this also it is plain that “to boil in a pot” denotes to collate into doctrine, and thus prepare for use. (That all the miracles in the Word involve holy things of the church, see n. 7337, 8364, 9086; that Elisha represented the Lord as to the Word, n. 2762; that the “prophets” denote those who teach truths, thus abstractedly from persons the truth of doctrine, n. 2534, 7269; that a “vine” denotes the truth of the church, and “grapes” its good, n. 5113, 5117, 9277; consequently a “wild vine” and “wild gourds” denote falsities and evils; that “meal” denotes the genuine truth of faith from good, see n. 9995; that the “pottage,” which they were boiling, denotes a heap of doctrinal things, such as was that of the Jews, n. 3316.) From this it can be inferred what is meant by “boiling” and by a “pot.”

[4] In Ezekiel:

Utter a parable against the rebellious house. Set on the pot, set it on, and also pour water into it; gather the pieces into it, every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder; fill with the choice of the bones, and let the bones be boiled in the midst of it. Thus said the Lord Jehovih, Woe to the city of bloods, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it (Ezekiel 24:3-7).

There is here described the Word such as it is as to doctrine, namely, that Divine truths from Divine good are therein; and then is described doctrine from the Word such as it was with the Jewish nation, full of unclean things and falsities.

The “pot” denotes doctrine; the “thigh,” the “shoulder,” and the “choice of the bones,” denote Divine truths from Divine good in successive order; the “city of bloods” denotes the Jewish nation relatively to the truth of doctrine with them, thus abstractedly from nation or person it denotes the doctrine which destroys good; the “scum” in it denotes what is external which favors filthy loves, and which, not being removed, the truth is defiled. From this also it is plain that a “pot” denotes doctrine, and that “to boil” denotes to prepare for use.

[5] In the same:

The spirit said unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise iniquity, and that give wicked counsel in the city, saying, It is not near to build houses; it is the pot, and we are the flesh (Ezekiel 11:2-3);

here also “the pot” denotes the doctrine of falsity from evil, for so the city is called where iniquity is devised, and wicked counsel is given. (That “city” also denotes doctrine, see n. 402, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493, here such doctrine.)

[6] In Jeremiah:

Jehovah said, What seest thou? I said, I see a pot that is bubbling over, whose face is toward the north. Jehovah said, Out of the north shall evil be opened forth upon all the inhabitants of the land (Jeremiah 1:13-14);

here also “a pot bubbling over” denotes the doctrine of falsity from evil; the “north” denotes an obscure state in respect to the truth of faith, and also thick darkness from falsities (n. 3708); from this it is plain what this prophetic vision involves.

[7] In Zechariah:

In that day every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness to Jehovah Zebaoth, and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and shall boil in them (Zech. 14:21);

here “pot” signifies the doctrine of charity and of faith, thus the doctrine of truth from good; “Jerusalem” denotes the church of the Lord; “they who sacrifice” denote those who are in Divine worship. From this it is evident that “to boil in pots” denotes to prepare for the use of spiritual life.

[8] In Moses:

Every vessel of pottery in which is boiled the flesh of a sacrifice of guilt and of sin shall be broken; but if it hath been boiled in a vessel of brass, this shall be scoured and rinsed in water (Leviticus 6:28).

The earthen vessel in which the boiling was done denotes falsity which does not cohere with good; “a vessel of brass” denotes a doctrinal matter in which is good; the “boiling” of the flesh of the sacrifice of guilt and sin in them, denotes preparation for purification from evils and the falsities thence derived. From this it is evident what was represented by the injunction that every earthen vessel should be broken, and that a vessel of brass should be scoured and rinsed in waters.

8568. And the people thirsted there for the waters. That this signifies an increase of longing for truth, is evident from the signification of “thirsting,” as being to strive after and long for, and as being predicated of truth, as “hungering” is predicated of good; and from the signification of “water,” as being the truth of faith (see n. 8562). That “to thirst” denotes to strive after and long for the truth which is signified by “water,” is very plain from many passages in the Word, as in Amos:

Behold the days come wherein I will send a famine into the land, not a famine for bread, nor a thirst for waters, but for hearing the words of Jehovah; and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah, and shall not find it; in that day shall the beautiful virgins and the young men faint with thirst (Amos 8:11-13).

A longing to know truth is here described by “thirsting;” the longing for truth is signified by “I will not send a thirst for waters, but for hearing the words of Jehovah;” the lack of truth and the consequent privation of spiritual life are described by, “in that day shall the beautiful virgins and the young men faint with thirst;” “beautiful virgins” denote those who are in affections of good, and “young men” those who are in affections of truth.

[2] In Isaiah:

Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no silver; come ye, buy, eat, come ye and buy wine and milk without silver and without price (Isaiah 55:1).

“Everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,” manifestly denotes one who longs for the truths of faith; “to buy wine and milk without price” denotes to procure the truth and good of faith for themselves from the Lord, thus gratuitously (that “waters” denote the truth of faith, see n. 8562; that “wine” denotes the good of faith, n. 6377, and also “milk,” n. 2184). Everyone can see that by “coming to the waters and buying wine and milk,” is not here meant wine and milk, but such things as are of heaven and the church.

[3] In like manner in John:

I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life free (Revelation 21:6); where “the fountain of the water of life” denotes the truth and good of faith; “he that is athirst” denotes one who longs from affection, according to the Lord’s words in John:

Jesus said to the woman of Samaria, Everyone that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but he that drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life (John 4:13-14).

Here “water” plainly denotes the truth of faith from the Word, thus from the Lord; “never thirsting” here denotes that truth shall no longer fail him.

[4] In like manner elsewhere in John:

Jesus said, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger, and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst (John 6:35).

Jesus cried, saying, If anyone thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink; whosoever believeth in Me, as the Scripture hath said, Out of his belly shall flow streams of living water (John 7:37-38).

In these passages “to thirst” denotes to long for truth; “to drink” denotes to be instructed; “streams of living water” denote Divine truth, which is from the Lord alone.

[5] In Isaiah:

Bring ye waters to meet him that is thirsty; O ye inhabitants of the land of Tema, come before the wanderer with his bread (Isaiah 21:14); where “bringing waters to meet him that is thirsty” denotes instructing in truths him who longs for them, and thus refreshing the life of his soul. In the same:

The fool will speak folly, and his heart will do iniquity, to do hypocrisy, and to utter error against Jehovah, to make empty the soul of the hungry one, and he will make the drink of the thirsty one to fail (Isa 32);

“the hungry one” denotes him who longs for good; and “he that thirsteth for drink,” him who longs for truth.

[6] Again:

The poor and needy seek water but there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I will open rivers upon the hillsides, and I will put fountains in the midst of the valleys, the wilderness for a pool of waters, and the dry land for springs of waters (Isaiah 41:17-18);

everyone can plainly see that “seeking water” denotes seeking truth; that “failing for thirst” denotes being deprived of spiritual life from a lack of truth; that “rivers,” “fountains,” “a pool,” and “springs of waters” denote the truths of faith in which they were to be instructed.

[7] Again:

Say ye, Jehovah hath redeemed his servant Jacob; then shall they not thirst, He shall lead them in the wastes; He shall cause the waters to flow out of the rock for them, and He will cleave the rock that the waters may flow out (Isaiah 48:20-21);

“they shall not thirst” denotes that truths shall not fail them; “waters” here manifestly denote the truths of faith. Again:

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, so that even upon the springs of waters He will lead them (Isaiah 49:10);

“they shall not hunger” denotes that good shall not fail them; “they shall not thirst” denotes that truth shall not fail them; “springs of waters” denote the knowledges of truth from the Word.

[8] In like manner in Moses:

Jehovah leadeth thee through the great and fearful wilderness, of the serpent, of the fire-serpent, and of the scorpion, and of thirst, where are no waters; who bringeth forth for thee waters out of the stone of the crag (Deuteronomy 8:15). Again in Isaiah:

Behold your God will come; then in the wilderness shall waters break out, and rivers in the plain of the desert; and the dry place shall become a pool, and the thirsty one for springs of waters (Isaiah 35:4, 6-7);

“the waters in the wilderness that shall break out,” “rivers,” “a pool,” “springs of waters,” plainly denote the truths of faith and the knowledges of them, which would be given from the Lord when He should come into the world.

[9] In David:

O God, my God, in the morning do I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee, in a land of drought, and weary without waters (Psalms 68:1); where “thirsting” is predicated of truth; “weary without waters” denotes that there are no truths. “Thirst” denotes a lack of truth and the consequent privation of spiritual life, in Isaiah:

Therefore My people will go into exile, for not acknowledging, and their glory are men of famine, and their multitude are parched with thirst (Isaiah 5:13).

I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh because there is no water, and dieth for thirst (Isaiah 50:2).

[10] From these passages it can now be seen what is signified in this chapter by there being “no water for the people to drink” (verse 1); by their saying, “Give us water and we will drink” (verse 2); by “the people thirsting there for waters” (verse 3); by that “there shall come waters out of the rock” (verse 6). Consequently by their murmuring on account of the lack of water is signified temptation from the lack of truth; for when a man comes into temptation from the lack of truth, he is kept in a vehement longing for it, and at the same time in despair of eternal salvation on this account: these things then cause suffering, and complaint.